Google today announced Checkout, a much anticipated online commerce feature. Previously reported to be called GBuy, Google's Checkout enables customers to use their Google login to make purchases securely and quickly. Major online etailers are set to sign on with Checkout and Google says it expects many people to be Checkout-enabled in the short term. According to Google, Checkout will offer customers a higher level of security by masking credit card information from the store, and in fact be able to offer customers reimbursements for purchases that were not authorized. The press release indicated:

If shoppers want to use Google Checkout, they can create a Google Checkout login right from the merchant's site with a single username and password by entering basic information, such as their contact details, payment preferences, and shipping information, once. Then, when checking out at any store that offers Google Checkout, they can simply select Google Checkout, quickly complete their transaction with their login information, and avoid the hassle of filling out multiple forms. In addition, shoppers can keep track of their purchase history, including orders and shipping details, in one place.

During a recent press conference, Google CEO Eric Schmidt indicated to reporters that the new service would not be a competitor to eBay and said that it would be "different" from PayPal. Checkout will be compatible with all major credit cards and Google is currently holding a special promotion with Citi. The company also indicated that Checkout will tie in with other programs like AdWords and AdSense -- an ideal tracking and marketing combination for merchants it said.

To acquire new customers and participants, Google is currently offering a payment processing service through Checkout for merchants where for every $1 they spend on AdWords, they can get $10 worth of sales processing through Checkout for free. Google says the program offers a big incentive for merchants, who routinely pay higher processing fees while having to pay for separate advertising.

I think I speak for most here, when I say, "Google, please compete directly with PayPal and eBay and blow them and their cruddy practices away." "In addition, I wouldn't mind if you started an auction site either, just make it less evil in terms of fees and customer service than eBay, which might not be that hard to do." "The current monopoly in online payments by PayPal and eBay have let them run amok, with little accountability or incentive, and hurt everyone." "Thank you."

Am I the only one that's actually had good luck using them? I got screwed once on a $90 item, and was refunded my money through paypal with little effort at all. In fact it was so easy that I felt like defrauding them would be extremely simple. All I did was fill out a form on their website and next thing you know, $90 in my account.

No, you're not, I had no issues with them at all. It's just some people being a little bit greedy, plus PayPal imposes those hucking personal account limits, god I hate it! Other than that they are ok guys to me.

Ah, they also could cancel 3% fee if the transaction was funded NOT with CC, but with debit - this is why we need competition from Google! If Google does the same with no stupid account limits and more user friendly fee policy (no CC == no 3% fee) I'll switch in a sec, even if I lose my eBay rating - I'll just build it again from scratch, in 3 years I'll be 102/100% positive again :-)

Competition is good, and for that I like that Google is attempting to compete, but I would not trust Google with my finances...

Sorry, I just do not trust the company.

Not to mention, there are MANY other auction sites and other Paypal like sites…
Just because they do not get the press does not mean they do not exist. Its like Windows and Linux… one does not get the press, and the other does… then comes OSX and its finally an alternative to Windows…
Yeah… ok…

quote: Its like Windows and Linux… one does not get the press, and the other does… then comes OSX and its finally an alternative to Windows

As a desktop x86 OS that's designed and built and controlled by the same commercial entity - yes, OS X is the only alternative to Windows. Look past the code and FSF and RMS man, see the money and other dirty things - they often define who's who in this world, not the amount of lines of code or the kernel page pool size :)

By the way if you know any nice online comparison of auction sites, together with their pros and cons - post the link here, please.

Many people are interested in eBay alternatives, even me, it's just that noone creates dozens of auction site accounts just to find out what they are. We need someting like auctionsitereview.com or something. Do you know any? ;-)

I 110% agree. Paypal and ebay have been screwing people over since the start. They have no customer service. They only jack you around with jackass emails until you finally give up. Once paypal takes your money you will never see it again even if you can legally prove you got robbed.

So let google give them some competition. Google is the best because they offer decent software solutions. I have no problem with them taking over the earth if they continue to offer the bigger better deal. I believe they realize make the customer happy and you will make money. Instead of ebay saying where the monopoly so lets crap on our customers and get rich.

The point is not what they say, but what they do. They are another option, but don't expect everyone to switch over and start supporting it. Don't expect the same support, service, or speed that you do with the others. Don't expect the same content. They are providing a service. If it takes off, then they will start to compete. Until then, take the low road, avoid the hostels, and have fun.